During my two-week stay in the community of the Twelve Tribes I only saw children with bright eyes. One boy took my boy by the hand right away, because he was a bit shy at first and he showed him everything and was explaining things very patiently.

He really always had such nice, shining eyes. After two years my son still talks about him and wants to help him to come back to his wonderful parents. The boy Noah drew many pictures with my son AND THEY WERE ALL JUST SUNNY, HAPPY PICTURES!

At a common supper one woman talked about her daughter who stayed in the so-called “free world” and went down a wrong path. While she was talking, she started crying; a five-year-old boy got up, left the room, and came back shortly after that and gave that woman a handkerchief. He said,

“Don’t cry, it will all be good again.”

Back then I was deeply touched and thought, ‘What child his age would respond that way where we come from?’ From my own experience as a mother I know that children this age are still very selfish.

The little children there did not know what it meant to take away a toy from another. They are used to sharing everything and helping each other. Do the 2 to 4-year-old children in this technocratic world act that way? I ask all mothers this question.

It really is a shame for us to scorn such kind-hearted people, and to take away happy, compassionate, helpful children from their parents, who only taught them all the good in life, and to conform them to our behavior patterns by force!!! … with all that goes along with it – television full of crimes, thrillers, violence, sex, and negative news, computer games, smartphones, which only harm our children.

These children differ in the way they treat each other, the adults, and the animals from our children in the positive! And all this good you, “dear ladies and gentlemen,” who think you are civilized, want to destroy??? … instead of being happy that there are still a few children and adults like that on our planet… living like in little oases, being self-sufficient, and not harming anyone else, but only helping everyone else.

In the Twelve Tribes there is a place for everyone who does not see a chance in the world anymore. Also outcasts, abandoned, and handicapped people were welcomed, and they feel loved and only change for the better. I only saw people like that there.

Even the animals there live like kings. The cows have a bright, huge barn with the gate wide open and they can go in and out as they please. The goats, who were described to me as aggresive by many Austrian owners, there they are friendly and tame. The goatherd who I talked with about this phenomenon, said to me, “If we understand them and love them, then they improve in their character.”

With this letter I send my appeal to all who can still think and sympathize and who the fate in life of these wonderful, unspoiled children souls depends on.

From Levi’s wife, Hadashah

I am thankful that Levi and I had the opportunity to take his father into our home about six months ago. We could make his last months to live as comfortable as possible as he had cancer.

Hermann‘s life was shaped by a lot of suffering and pain. He was quite neglected and lonely when we took him on.

It takes a community to manage an undertaking like this. We are so thankful for our brothers and sisters who enabled this. Everyone gave his part to give Hermann the assurance that he was loved and wanted.

An amazing characteristic of his is that despite pain and suffering he never complained. Levi‘s father made it easy for us to take care of him. He was always so thankful for everything. Up to his last days he would fix his bed every morning and keep his room tidy. Now I know where my beloved husband got his wonderful heart from to always remain thankful even in hard times and why he has the remarkable feeling for order and cleanliness that he does.

Hermann was a breaker in our tribe. He was the first of our parents that we took on in our midst in order to give him the last honor. He enhanced our life and became dear to our hearts.

His ex-wife Edith, Levi‘s mother, was deeply touched and expressed her thankfulness for us over and over again.

What happened the day of the Raid in the district office Donauwörth (Jugendamt)

September 5, 2013, Klosterzimmern, Germany

When I woke up that morning and heard that the police were there, I did not really know what to think. But I was sure that they would find nothing wrong with us. As we were gathered in the living room downstairs, I heard that they wanted to take the children away from the parents and I could not believe that they would actually do so. I was trembling all over.

After my father had prayed for us, we left the house, walked between two rows of policemen and all I could see were police cars and police officers. I went with my brother and three other children in a van and then we immediately drove off. It was a horrible feeling to know that someone you do not know and you do not trust, would take us somewhere. We did not know where and we do not know what they would do to us. When we arrived at the district office, we took the elevator to the second floor and then had to walk up a few flights of stairs until we came to a large, empty room. Next door were offices and there we were then interviewed.

My father had told me earlier that we are not obliged to say our names and so I sat there trembling. A younger girl sat next to me and we both did not know what to say. The staff from social services were trying to figure out who we were and asked us things like, “Are you going to be punished by parents, when you say your name? Why do not you tell us then how are you called? That’s not so bad!”

All I knew was that I felt completely alone and helpless. My brother and the other boys were in another office. I was very worried about my brother and the others and wondered if they would tell their names or would resist. I refused for a long time, but somehow I knew that I would eventually not get around it.

I had no idea what would happen and asked all the time why they did such a terrible thing to us. The only answer I got was that soon everything would be fine and that it would make us go a lot better soon. They offered us something to eat, but I replied that I did not want to eat anything until I was back home. Finally, after they had pestered us a long time with questions, we gave the names that we had in the community. However, because these were not our official name and not on their list, they begged us to tell them the truth. Then we gave our ages and then they knew who was the girl who sat next to me.

They were happy about it and gave her a name tag and immediately wanted then to take a picture of her with a big name tag and date of birth. When I told them that I am 20 years old, they did not believe me. Therefore, they led me into a large room in which we would later be all gathered and said that I should give them notice if I wanted to give them my name and my date of birth.

At this time, we met some other frightened children and mothers with breastfeeding babies and small children who also did not understand what was happening to them. They gave us breakfast and we sat at a long L-shaped table. Soon the room with the other children, who in turn reported their terrible awakening. At the other end of the room stood a few staff members of the youth ministry, they observed and talked and laughed together. They were too young to even have children and could probably not imagine what went on in us. If we had to go to the toilet, they accompanied us over and stood in the aisle other officers guard, so we could not escape.

Other people took the children’s data, took photos, and the children were examined one by one by a medical officer. I thought to myself that I could probably go home soon, but I also realized that the other children would not come back so quickly. I asked the other children if they knew what would happen and they told me that they should be brought to different foster parents and children or youth centers. We all freaked out at the thought of our parents and to be separated from each other. Until now, we were still at least comforted by that we could all be together.

The little children played with the toys and I cried because I knew that they were not aware of the what would happen next. Two of the mothers came up with the idea of the children singing and dancing in order to calm down a bit and cheer them up. In the middle of the song Mr. Singer ordered them to stop and be still. Then he called on individual children and sent them with with a few social workers that would take them to their accommodation.

The younger children began to cry and cling to their mothers. One of the girls insisted that her younger sister stays with her.

When it was the turn of the boy with diabetes, the mother took her little daughter in her arms and ran to him to prevent him being taken away from her. She said, “You can not take away from me this boy. He has diabetes and can die within an hour if you do not know how to deal with it. He has to stay with me.”

The first reaction of employees from social services was: “Yes, yes, we know about…”, but they gave the impression that they would be indifferent. The mother insisted, first to explain to someone how his treatment looked exactly. Then they agreed that the boy would be allowed to initially stay with his mother. The other children hugged each other in tears and left the room with a social worker.

So one by one the younger children went off. The siblings were able to stay together for the most part. An 8-year-old boy was screaming as he was torn away from his mother because he did not want to go along with the foster parents. His 4-year-old brother was also taken away screaming from his mother and then housed separately from his two older siblings to another foster family.

The social worker promised the children that they could call their parents all soon and see each other again. Children from other communities who were just visiting with us was explained that they could only go home if they would leave Germany immediately. A 15-year-old visitor said that she had been in Klosterzimmern with the written consent of her mother, to visit the community. This she had to show to be to return home.*

Slowly, the room emptied. The whole time I had to watch the children weeping bitterly; they tried to encourage each other. “I’ll call you as soon as possible…”

Once my brother stood up and announced in a loud voice: “This is the biggest injustice I’ve experienced in my whole life on this planet.”

He was beside himself and someone tried to calm him down. For some, it was at that time not yet clear where they should be placed, but it seemed as if always at least two children or young people together.

The children were placed with foster parents and young people in residential care. I was a little relieved that my brother would not have to be alone. But knowing that we would be separated from these children that we knew for so long was so terrible. We tried at the end to help the two remaining girls, so that they could stay together and would not be alone somewhere. That was quite a battle.

Some of the young people had heard where they should come and I tried to find out where my brother would be so that I could tell my parents.

Then it was my turn and I had to leave and leave my little brother with the others. I can not describe in words how painful the whole thing was for me, especially the thought that I did not know when I would see these children. With great difficulty I could restrain myself until I was home. When I told my friends what I had experienced, I could not hold back my tears.

Although it was a small consolation, and I was glad to be home, but the thought was so cruel that the children had only the clothes on her body there and they were deported to foreign places to strangers. I could imagine the children crying at night when going to bed without their parents who love them so much.

Confiance Schüle

Confiance, her brother who shouted, “This is the biggest injustice,” and their mother, Annette, at home (months after 5 Sept. 2013). In the Community they are Zipporah, Helez, and Yerusha.

Our daughter had then decided to observe this life in the summer holidays over an even longer period of time to really get to know it properly. During this time the first raid took place!

Our daughter was, like all other children, simply dragged away, although we parents had filed a written certification that she was with our consent there. She had to be subjected to the humiliating examinations like all children, down to the the underpants! She has fully experienced the grief of her beloved friends and she was in shock!

After the examinations she was returned back to Klosterzimmern, and was then, besides a child of a visitor that lived up the time with her mother there, the only child there. The Jugendamt (Youth Welfare Office) threatened our daughter to be brought into a facility, for, according to the youth welfare office, parents who let their children live there — their child ought to be also taken away!

I can not believe what is being done to the people of the Twelve Tribes! I have come to know and love them myself by several different long stays when I was allowed to live with them with my fifteen-year-old daughter in the community. We were accepted in this big family. So much cordiality and warmth, so much openness and confidence from the start…I have found nowhere else so far!

I am one standing with both feet in life, am rich in experience being sixty-one-years old, especially since I have always been interested in people. Professionally, being an opera and concert singer, music and singing pedagogue, coach for communication and presentation, my work covers a large field of activity.

In recent years especially, I have worked with young people, including school classes of different age groups, 7th – 11th grade. I have witnessed how many young people are being sedated with “drugs” prescribed by doctors, because they are no longer able to be integrated [into different settings], no longer able to focus or to keep quiet…

Dealing with parents and teachers is always irreverent and even among and between the young people it is becoming increasingly difficult. For the sake of being included – just for that – all “boundaries” are being far transgressed! Parents and teachers and even the victims themselves, the young people, are often far overwhelmed because they are powerless facing this boundless chaos.

Looking for a better world, for people who still believe in a God and live this faith, the “sect” of the Twelve Tribes was brought to my attention by acquaintances.

After our first visit: I did not know how my fifteen-year-old daughter would respond to all the “old-fashioned” women’s dresses, the men’s beards and ponytails, and all the other, unfamiliar practices such as getting up early, long sharing etc…

I myself was impressed, especially by these wonderful children. Such children as probably all people would desire! Cheerful, interested, helpful, open, having a healthy self-esteem, lovingly attached to their parents.

Life there I got to know as a real community: young and old treat each other lovingly, older people are being respected by the young people. The smaller children are found in the vicinity of the mother, their toys are not made of plastic but they are allowed to “help”, to get involved, according to what is appropriate and possible.You can see children’s eyes light for joy at being able to contribute and at being valuable!

For the parents, this means ceaseless, loving engagement, especially towards the very young ones. This is only possible because all who live there give their strength and commitment to each other. There I experienced lived out charity – true love!

I thought to myself, I also would have liked to have space and time for my children. How wonderful it would be to be able to be mother and wife in such an circumstances!

On the first trip back home, my daughter tearfully said to me she has never felt being at HOME as much as there, so accepted, she could just BE as she IS! And then came the hit, she said: “When I’ll want to have children, then only there!”

During our stay there I did not speak to her at all about anything concerning the life there spoken, because I feared she might be angry with me because I have taken her there without warning!

After our first visit, my daughter and I have been guests even for longer periods of time in Klosterzimmern. Some of my friends also came along from time to time and were just like us, lovingly received and fully integrated. All, except one, were deeply touched by the exemplary life worth living that they came to know there, and feel very connected to the community still, even after this tremendous calumny. One of them was my husband, who by the enthusiasm of his daughter heard about this wonderful life and came along. He lived there already several times as a guest several times, and he does not want to miss the friends he found there.

We were able to experience how the Word of God come alive and the texts of the Bible understandable!

A friend of mine who lived with me there for a week asked me after one of the morning meetings, very excitedly because of what she had learned, “What kind of Bible do they have there?” It made me laugh so much and I told her that it is the normal Bible, such as you can buy anywhere!

Participation in the morning and evening meetings of the community where everyone, young and old, has the opportunity and the chance to express himself freely about a topic, such as a story from the Bible, or a parable, or one of the Proverbs or Psalms, and also about what they can see himself in his HEART — what he can and will realize in their life — these things caused even us to grow inwardly.

So we, my husband and I, were able to recognize and find out quite a few things concerning our marriage problems, which we were not spared of in the throes of this world, for selfish reasons, such as: pride, envy, unforgiveness, impatience, a false picture of our tasks with regard to the roles of husband and wife, etc!

Being allowed to talk about these things freely in a safe environment, causes something like a major cleansing of the conscience – to recognize those things yourself to admit them to yourself and to others (that takes a lot of overcoming!) in order to be able to leave them behind and then change. In this way, God so invisible and mystical otherwise today, becomes alive in us, he can work through us and becomes visible by this wonderful charity that grows through all this!

Our daughter had then decided to observe this life in the summer holidays over an even longer period of time to really get to know it properly. During this time the first raid took place!

Our daughter was, like all other children, simply dragged away, although we parents had filed a written certification that she was with our consent there. She had to be subjected to the humiliating examinations like all children, down to the the underpants! She has fully experienced the grief of her beloved friends and she was in shock!

After the examinations she was returned back to Klosterzimmern, and was then, besides a child of a visitor that lived up the time with her mother there, the only child there. The Jugendamt (Youth Welfare Office) threatened our daughter to be brought into a facility, for, according to the youth welfare office, parents who let their children live there — their child ought to be also taken away!

We were and are still and still more shocked by the extent of government control and deprivation of liberty, which is able to intervene into the most proper affairs of the heart of men, and even legitimized!

What in the world happened to “Father State”, as we Germans call our government, which is supposed to grant to its fellow citizens entrusted to him the protection of a life worth living, an ethical life? A life in which God and the observance HIS COMMANDMENTS, at least yet, at his option, shall stand in the first place? In Germany is the Constitution even still alive? As far as I am aware, does it not place human dignity, a divine attribute, still in the first place?

How should our children orientate themselves in future in this errant, chaotic world where wrong is right and right is wrong? Who wants to be responsible for that? The crowded and growing psychiatric hospitals, a flourishing economic sector, speak for themselves!